People sometimes adopt celibacy or submit to castration and take up
monasticism. God has not prescribed monasticism and that is why
those who adopt it prove unable to conform to its discipline
(57:28). This is an indication that if celibacy and monasticism had
been imposed by the Divine, everyone would have had to adopt this
discipline, in which case the human race would have come to an end
long ago. Also, if chastity had to be preserved through castration
or any other such device, it would amount to criticism of the
Divine Who has bestowed this capacity upon man. Besides merit
depends upon restraining the exercise of a capacity on an improper
occasion, through fear of God, and thus acquiring double benefit
through its proper exercise. By destroying the capacity a person
would deprive himself of both benefits. Merit depends upon the
possession of the capacity and its proper regulation. What merit
would a person acquire who has lost that capacity and has become
like a child? Does a child deserve merit because of his chastity?